By Sabina Lohr

Recent years have seen an increase in war and conflict in the Middle East, along with continued talk of peace. This has resulted in tourists avoiding some countries while heading in large numbers to others.

A diverse array of situations has impacted life in the Middle East as well as the region’s tourism. More than a decade of civil war in Yemen has virtually eliminated tourism. Syra’s 14-year civil war recently ended, but left the country rife with security problems and unsafe for tourists. Other countries, such as Israel, Iran, and Lebanon, are now struggling with internal conflicts and regional tension, causing most visitors to go elsewhere. Tourism to Jordan is always negatively impacted by war in Israel. However, other countries — for example, Egypt, Oman and the U.A.E. — exist peacefully and enjoy a thriving tourism industry.

The number of people visiting countries at peace more than makes up for those avoiding countries in conflict. The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing tourism regions of the world, according to UN Tourism, and also the region that rebounds the fastest. In a world where positive personal experiences shared by travelers can outweigh negative media reports, people are increasingly interested in visiting the region.

Although 2024 saw a larger than usual number of regional wars and conflicts, 95 million travelers vacationed in the Middle East. Destinations which are home to iconic spots, such as the pyramids and Petra, are even prone to overtourism. More sites could also potentially become overtouristed in destinations where tourism thrives.

Amidst all the region’s conflict, peace does exist. For many tourists, the desire to visit peaceful destinations outweighs concerns about safety elsewhere. In the future, the Middle East will likely continue to experience both conflict and peace, and tourists will continue to visit.

Sabina Lohr is a freelance writer who focuses on destinations and cultures in the Middle East. She has lived in Egypt, Israel, and the U.A.E., and traveled extensively through the region for almost 20 years. Lohr has been published in numerous print and online magazines, including National Geographic’s Intelligent Travel Blog, Afar, Porthole Cruise Magazine, and Destinations of the World News. She shares unique insight into Middle East Cultures on her blog, Connect the Cultures.